Summary

This comprehensive text explores the entire range of research methodologies in psychology, using a programmatic approach to introduce topics and build on earlier presentations to increase student understanding. The authors emphasize research concepts, rather than simply presenting cookbook-like strategies, to help students develop an understanding of scientific research.

Table of Contents

1. Curiosity, Creativity, and Commitment. Science Is a Way of Thinking. Asking Questions. Science and Art. Acquiring Knowledge. Emergence of Science. The History of Psychology. The Science of Psychology.

2. Research Is a Process of Inquiry. A Process of Inquiry. Basic Assumptions of Science. Observation and Inference: Facts and Constructs. Conceptual Models in Science. Inductive and Deductive Thinking. Models and Theories in Science. A Model of the Research Process.

3. The Starting Point: Asking Questions. Asking Questions. Refining Questions for Research. Types of Variables in Research. Validity and the Control of Extraneous Variables. Research Ethics.

4. Data and the Nature of Measurement. Research Variables. Measurement. Scales of Measurement. Measuring and Controlling Variables. The Need for Objective Measurement.

7. Correlational and Differential Methods of Research. Correlational Research Methods. Differential Research Methods. What Makes Differential Research Higher-Constraint Than Correlational Research? When to Use Correlational and Differential Research. Conducting Correlational Research. Conducting Differential Research. Limitations of Correlational and Differential Research.

9. Controls to Reduce Threats to Validity. Threats to Validity. General Control Procedures. Control Over Subject and Experimenter Effects. Control Through Participant Selection and Assignment. Control Through Experimental Design.